Start a Program

This information is intended to aid faculty with the instructional design of coursework for preparing commercially licensed pilot field technicians.

If your college is planning to start an unmanned aircraft systems field technician program here are a few things to consider.

1. The rules (CFR14 PART 107) that govern the commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) went into effect in September 2016. As of 2021, they are still not complete, because they are not complete certain operations may need prior Federal Aviation Administration authorization before execution. It is important to familiarize yourself with FAA resources for monitoring s UAS announcements.

   • The rules are still evolving, so your program/courses will need to be designed for easy adaptation to the new rules.

   • For example, as of Fall 2021, the rules for flying beyond the visual line of sight have not been finalized. Once they are, course-level goals and objectives will change to incorporate instruction related to flying beyond the visual line of sight.

2. As part of your program, students are prepared to earn their FAA commercial drone license (Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Systems Rating).

   • C.F.R. 14 Part 107 are the Federal Aviation Regulations that outline commercial certification and operational limitations. The FAA has published an advisory circular designed to better help pilots understand the rules.

   • Your instructors will need to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with an sUAS Rating (commonly called a "Part 107").

3. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Courts have determined that small unmanned aircraft (.55-55 lbs) are considered aircraft. They need to be registered with the FAA, whether you are flying for fun or for commercial gain. If you wish to operate a drone commercially, the pilot must be FAA certified.

4. To become a certified commercial pilot a candidate must pass the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft General Knowledge Exam (UAG).

5. Both learning to fly and preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration's Remote Pilot Certificate can be accomplished by students in one or two courses. More time on task is typically needed for the knowledge portion of the coursework than skills (flight).

   • Lecture/Lab format; the preparation for the examination is lecture and the lab portion includes hands-on flight labs: combined 4-5 hours per week over a 15- week semester.

   • Or a separate lecture generally called 'Ground School' and a flight lab section, equating to two separate course sections.

6. The instructor must be certified by the FAA as a remote pilot and will act as the pilot in command during flight labs, the students will be acting as what the FAA terms "the Person Manipulating the Controls".

   • The instructor when demonstrating flight maneuvers is operating in a commercial capacity

   • Students, because they are not being paid to be in class, may fly as hobbyists as long as the school is following a 'community-based organization' safety framework. The FAA provides guidance for the use of drones in education.

   • The FAA provides free resources to help prepare for the UAG examination, and the exam must be taken at an FAA testing center